People across the Plymouth region have heard gunshots out in the River Tamar this morning.

Residents wondered what was going on after waking up early doors to the sound of 'rapid gunfire' out in the water.

Graphic designer Mark Lawson tweeted today: "Are the Royal Navy doing some kind of live fire exercise on the River Tamar or something as I’m sure I’m hearing bursts of rapid gunfire, some of it heavy gauge... Surely that’s not a hydraulic road hammer?"

Military officials have now confirmed that Royal Marines were conducting a 'dawn attack' at 7am that marked the end of a weekend of training missions.

A Royal Navy spokesman said nothing untoward was going on and people should not be alarmed.

The armed forces are frequently out training and using the water for 'war games'.